re: For the older gen, which was more fun? WFL, USFL, WLAF, CFL, XFL, AAF, USFL2, or Arena?

WFL was quite popular in certain cities.

Lingerie Football League

quote:

---

The WFL pulled way more NFL talent than any other league.

Four HOFers in Csonka, Warfield, a really old Maynard and Leroy Kelly. Plus Calvin Hill and the Mad Bomber. If the league had continued, LC Greenwood and Stabler were signed for Bham. Danny White started in the WFL

---

USFL had Reggie White, Steve Young, Jim Kelly, and Gary Zimmerman; all went on to NFL HOF careers.

They signed Hershel Walker, Mike Rozier, and Doug Flutie- the Heisman Trophy winners for 82, 83 and 84.

Anthony Carter, Gary Clark, Sean Landetta and Kent Hull all went to multiple Pro Bowls after coming over. Clark won 2 Super Bowls with the Redskins, Landetta 2 with the Giants, and Hull was the starting center for the Bills, who went to 4 Super Bowls (lost all 4).

The Saints took coach Jim Mora, QB Bobby Hebert, LBs Sam Mills and Vaughn Johnson (half the Dome Patrol), KR Mel Gray, and FB Buford Jordan all came over from the USFL.

There were plenty more, that's just a sampling of the talent.

Bring back Lingerie Football darnnnnittt

quote:

---

Original USFL was amazing. There were teams that could have jumped to the NFL, and won playoff games. Incredible talent, including some of the coaches.

---

That might be exaggerating a little bit, but not too far off. I think the Philly/Baltimore Stars might have been competitive had they moved to the NFL, although their QB Chuck Fusina never did anything in the league.

There were obviously quite a few guys who already had NFL experience in the USFL, as well as several who would go from the USFL to the NFL. But the depth was not there for most teams.

One advantage that the USFL had then, compared to current leagues now, is that the idea of the NFL being a full-time, year around occupation was just really starting to take hold in the early 80s. Guys still worked jobs in the “offseason” and used training camp to get into shape. The gap between college and pro wasn’t as great. NFL salaries weren’t so high that the USFL couldn’t outbid them for a few star players.

Getting to the OPs question, the USFL was very fun because it was innovative and exciting. The quality of the product was not that far off from the NFL. The infusion of college stars, including three Heisman winners, brought credibility to the league. Id go far as to say that the USFL was pretty key in shaping the NFL into what it is today.

quote:

---

I really thought the Canadian league would work, but I was young and liked the newness of the Shreveport Pirates, San Antonio Texans, etc

---

The Pirates had really good attendance in spite of a terrible record and even shittier ownership. But other than Baltimore, the other teams couldn't draw. I'm biased because we went to almost every home game but as a kid I loved it.

ESPN killed the Arena league for whatever reason, but only showing 1 game a week on Monday nights will do it. When NBC and regional sports channels had the rights the league was flourishing.

I actually loved NFL Europe. Many of the same team names as the World League but the NFL sending fringe players was really cool and the quality was better. Rohan "The Berlin Hammer" Davey TYFYS

“Win or lose, we booze.” -John “Football” Manziel, Zappers QB

R.I.P., FCF

I actually liked the CFL. I knew more of the players and I love that running forward before the ball is snapped deal